Why a website needs maintenance
The vast majority of WordPress security flaws are found in plugins, not in WordPress itself: maintenance applies their updates every week, after checking them. A WordPress or PrestaShop site is not a fixed document: it is software. Its core, theme and plugins regularly receive updates, many of which fix security flaws. A site that is no longer updated ends up hacked, or goes down the day the host changes PHP version.
The catch is that an update can also break the site: an incompatible plugin, a theme that is too old. That is why it makes sense to entrust it to someone who checks before and after, and keeps a backup to roll back to.
What maintenance includes
Preventive maintenance
This is the foundation of every plan: checked updates of the core, theme and plugins, a daily backup stored off the server, availability monitoring every 5 minutes, protection against brute-force attacks.
Corrective maintenance
When something breaks, I fix it: blank page, a form that no longer sends, an error after an update. The Serenity and Store plans include 1 to 2 hours of work per month; beyond that, it is €75 excl. VAT per hour, billed at the actual time spent.
Evolutive maintenance
Adding a page, changing a text, installing a feature: the included hours also serve to evolve your site, not just to repair it.
WordPress, WooCommerce or PrestaShop maintenance
- WordPress: the most widespread, and therefore the most targeted by hackers. Plugins are the first entry point: each one is updated and monitored.
- WooCommerce: a store on WordPress. On top of the rest, I check that the cart and payment work after each update.
- PrestaShop: modules are more sensitive to updates. They are therefore tested on a copy of the store before being applied live, and the checkout is monitored.
How much does website maintenance cost?
At DataPet, prices are on display: €49 excl. VAT per month for a WordPress showcase site, €99 excl. VAT with 1 hour of work included and a monthly report, €179 excl. VAT for a PrestaShop store with 2 hours included and a reply within 4 working hours. Paid yearly, two months are free: €490, €990 or €1,790 excl. VAT, paid at once at the start of the commitment. No set-up fee for a site I built; for a site built by someone else, an express audit at €290 excl. VAT, free if you commit for 12 months.
Maintenance or managed hosting?
Managed hosting means entrusting the server as well: I do not do that. Your site stays hosted in your name, with a reputable host that looks after server security. I take care of the website itself. You remain the owner of everything, and free to leave whenever you want.
The rules of the game
- Monthly: 3-month commitment, then cancellable with one month’s notice.
- Yearly: paid at once at the start of the commitment, renewed each year, cancellable with two months’ notice before the renewal date.
- Included hours do not carry over from one month to the next.
- Response times are in working days, Monday to Friday (French time).
- At the end of the subscription, I hand over all access details and the latest backup.
